8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Reflections: What’s your mission in life? Some people earnestly search for “God’s will” but the truth is we all share the one mission: to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. It’s that simple. From the Father’s right hand in heaven, King Jesus rules over the world and extends his kingdom through the church. He has poured out his Spirit on Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles (Acts 2:1–40; 8:14–25; 10:1–48), making salvation available to every tribe. We Gentiles have already been baptised in the Spirit and all that’s left to do is spread God’s word so that large numbers might be added to the kingdom! If you want to know God’s will for your life, here it is: to proclaim the gospel to every tribe and generation and draw them into the kingdom of God.

Question: How might you put God’s mission first and plan your work and family around his mission? Commit to pray for gospel growth in one nation or culture.

Prayer: God of the nations who wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. In your mercy, raise up workers for your harvest in every tribe so that your people might gather from every corner of the earth in worship around the throne of the Lamb to whom be the glory. Amen.

Acts 1:1-26

Prologue

1I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit Promised

4While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Ascension

9After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

United in Prayer

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem — a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Matthias Chosen

15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters — the number of people who were together was about a hundred twenty — and said, 16“Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” 18Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. 19This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, “Field of Blood”). 20“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his dwelling become desolate;

let no one live in it; and

Let someone else take his position.

21“Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us — 22beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us — from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen 25to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias and he was added to the eleven apostles.